Hatred
/ˈheɪtrɪd/
nounB2
Definition
Hatred means feeling a very strong dislike or anger toward a person, group, idea, or thing. It is more intense than just being unhappy or annoyed; it often causes people to want to avoid or fight against what they hate.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A strong, deep feeling of dislike or anger
- •She felt hatred toward the person who lied to her.
- •Hatred between the two groups caused many problems.
- •His hatred for injustice made him fight for fairness.
An intense emotional state that can cause conflict or violence
- •Hatred can make people behave in harmful ways.
- •The speech was full of hatred and made the crowd angry.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hatred" like "dislike" (A1 word), but much stronger and deeper—like a fire burning inside
- ✓Picture a dark, heavy cloud covering your heart, making you feel cold and angry
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone hurts you badly or treats you unfairly and you can't forget it
- ✓Sounds like "HATE-rid" → imagine a ride (like a roller coaster) full of hate and strong emotions
- ✓Think of stories where heroes fight against villains because of hatred between them
- ✓NOT like "anger" (which can be short and quick), hatred lasts a long time and feels deeper
- ✓NOT like "fear" (which is about being scared), hatred is about strong dislike or wanting to avoid or hurt
- ✓NOT like "love" (strong positive feeling), hatred is the opposite, a strong negative feeling
Try Other Words
- •Loathing: very strong dislike or disgust (Use when the feeling is about strong disgust or repulsion)
- •Animosity: feeling of anger or hatred toward someone (Use when the feeling is more about ongoing anger between people)
- •Resentment: bitterness from feeling treated unfairly (Use when the feeling comes from being hurt or treated wrongly)
- •Aversion: strong dislike or unwillingness (Use when you want to avoid something strongly)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "hate" (strong dislike) + suffix "-red" (forms a noun meaning the state or quality)
- •Etymology: From Old English "hatred" meaning intense dislike or enmity
- •Historical development: Used for centuries to describe strong negative feelings between people or groups
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe strong feelings that can cause conflict, often in social or personal contexts
- •Key insight: Not just dislike but a deep, lasting, and powerful negative feeling
Reflect & Connect
•Can hatred ever be useful, or is it always harmful? When might it appear in your life or stories?
•How do people change hatred into forgiveness or understanding? What does that process feel like?
Fill in the blanks
1.Hatred often grows when people ___ each other for a long time without talking.
2.The feeling of hatred usually comes from strong ___ or unfair treatment.
3.Unlike dislike, hatred is a ___ and lasting emotion that can cause conflict.
4.People sometimes try to ___ hatred by learning about others and forgiving.
5.Hatred can be expressed through words or actions that ___ others.
6.When hatred is present, it is common to feel ___ or angry toward the person or group.
7.Hatred is different from fear because it is about ___, not being scared.